Kata Markon

[JFAlward AT aol.com]

JOE ALWARD

The following is a copy of a post I sent off-list to a Kata Markon 
correspondent:

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Thank you for the polite and thoughtful letter.  While I still hold Jeff's 
views in low regard, I nevertheless understand from your post that persons 
are unhappy with my tone, and will take to heart your hope that I moderate 
myself when I address the forum. 

Now, you've noted that I have failed to address adequately Jeff's argument 
about peirasmos, but I hope you also have noted he has not responded well to 
my claims that the connection between the antecedent text and the dependent 
text is broken with his claim that the dependent text's message is that God 
must not be tested.  There is nothing like this in the antecedent.

In addition, Jeff has not responded well to my assertion that the contexts of 
the first and second parable make is clear that the message in both cases was 
that after seventy years of waiting for Jesus' return, people must 
nevertheless still remain patient.  They must not close their eyes, for Jesus 
might return at any time.  In this context, it is self-evident that the 
message in Mark 14:38 is that the disciples are to pray to God that they 
withstand the body's test of their will not to close their eyes.  Jeff seems 
to want ignore the obvious in favor of an interpretation based largely his 
analysis of one Greek word.  If Jeff wants me to concentrate on his analysis 
of peirasmos, then should he not first try to explain, if he can, why the 
obvious message of both parables NOT that the faithful should remain patient?

Jeff's interpretation also doesn't explain well "the body (flesh) is weak." 
Context makes it self-evident that the disciples were to pray to God for the 
willpower to overcome the weak body's need for sleep, or, alternatively to 
pray to be given the physical strength to stay awake while they waited for 
Jesus.  The "weak body" makes almost no sense in the context of praying that 
they not test God.  

Thank you for your helpful comments.  It is obvious that they were sincere 
and well-intended.  If you believe that there are simple explanations which 
could address my concerns about Jeff's thesis, I would be happy to hear from 
you.  I would prefer that correspondence be done in public, but if you wish 
to do this privately, that would be fine with me.


Regards,

Joe

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Joseph F. Alward, PhD (Solid State Physics)
Department of Physics
University of the Pacific
Stockton, California 95201
email:  JFAlward AT aol.com